Repubblika and Occupyjustice have accused the Valletta Local Council of obstructing the annual display of posters commemorating murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, warning they could seek court protection if no solution is found.For several years, two large posters have been displayed near City Gate during the first two weeks of October to mark Caruana Galizia’s assassination.This year, however, the council rejected the permit application, saying Valletta was reserved between 1st and 6th October for Notte Bianca and the Valletta Summit.The organisations questioned that reasoning, noting that Notte Bianca takes place every year and had not prevented the posters from being displayed previously.They said they requested a meeting with the council and proposed several alternative prominent locations in Valletta, but claimed they received no response.“This conduct is abusive and unacceptable,” the organisations said, adding that the situation raises the question of whether the refusal amounts to “politically motivated censorship”.The groups stressed that the posters are not commercial advertising, but a form of civic expression commemorating an assassinated journalist and carrying messages around justice, press freedom, corruption and impunity.This year’s message is “Justice Requires Action”, marking the ninth anniversary of Caruana Galizia’s assassination on 16th October 2017.Repubblika and #occupyjustice warned they would not accept the situation becoming a precedent and said they could seek protection from the courts if the council continues to refuse to facilitate an alternative.“Valletta belongs to the people. The people’s voice must be heard,” they said.•